What happens when a couple expecting their first child can’t agree on maternity leave arrangements? A 28-year-old pregnant woman and her 32-year-old husband are at odds over how to handle their finances during her time off work. The wife wants to extend her maternity leave to a full year, but she’s not willing to foot the bill for the extra six months. Instead, she’s given her husband two options: either he pays 100% of their expenses during that time, or he takes six months of paternity leave himself.
Splitting Expenses Fairly?

Maternity Leave Dilemma

Husband’s Request

Financial Concerns

Two Compromise Suggestions

Husband’s Disapproval

Paternity Leave Concerns

Financial Sacrifices

Career Progression Worries

Family Sacrifices

Changing Dynamics

The Great Maternity Leave Standoff
In a situation that has the internet divided, a pregnant woman has given her husband an ultimatum: either he pays 100% of their expenses while she takes a full year of maternity leave, or he takes six months of paternity leave himself. The couple, who have always split their expenses proportionately, are struggling to find a fair solution that won’t leave one of them shouldering the financial burden alone. With career progression and savings on the line, the stakes are high for both parents-to-be. Let’s see what the internet thinks of this predicament…
NTA comment suggests fair wage for childcare, advises financial consultant.

Husband expects wife with zero income to contribute half expenses? NTA.

NTA. Separate finances can work but require trust and communication.

Married couple arguing over child expenses, strange financial situation. NTA.

NTA stands up to controlling husband demanding all financial responsibility

Couple struggles with separate finances as baby on the way

Husband refuses to share expenses for maternity leave. NTA stands up.

Fairness questioned in expecting wife to pay for maternity leave
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NTA. Partner’s selfishness revealed, withdraw offer to split expenses.

Husband devalues stay-at-home parenting. Money is his only contribution.

NTA. Splitting expenses equally is fair, not draining savings.

Commenter supports wife’s decision, expresses confusion and disbelief.

Husband sacrifices less, but wife shouldn’t demand 100%. NTA.

Fair split of expenses during maternity leave debate. NTA.
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Prioritizing a healthy relationship and long-term stability over extended leave

Marriage is more than just a financial arrangement

NTA. Husband wants 50/50 responsibility but sacrifices nothing?

Shared finances and responsibilities are crucial for raising a family

Equal parenting responsibilities, NTA not a scapegoat

NTA. Validating the OP’s feelings and sharing personal experience.

Practicality over theory. NTA suggests a reasonable solution.

Commenter sympathizes with OP, criticizes husband’s unfairness.

Husband expects wife to prioritize parenting over career and finances

Fair compensation for extended maternity leave is reasonable.

Engaging debate on financial boundaries in a partnership during maternity leave.

Option 3: Go back to work. Financial ruin for 6 months?

Canada’s maternity leave system praised in comment section
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Combining finances is crucial when starting a family

Fairness questioned in husband’s refusal to split parental leave expenses.

Combined finances = stronger marriages. Good to know

Equal sacrifices needed for extended maternity leave, NTA

Sharing finances is key to supporting extended maternity leave. #NTA

Demanding husband pays for maternity leave? YTA or NAH?
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Commenter argues for joint finances and equal sacrifice in marriage
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Commenter criticizes pregnant wife’s demand for 100% expenses coverage

Supportive comment encourages OP to return to work, NTA

NTA. Discussion and financial planning should have happened before conception.

Commenter calls out husband’s hypocrisy in traditional gender roles. NTA
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“Incredibly selfish AND sexist” – Husband’s outlook on maternity leave expenses

Empowerment! Support for a new mom’s decision.
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Clear NTA judgement with lots of exclamation marks

Supportive comment about extended maternity leave and concerns about husband’s childcare involvement.

Husband unwilling to share parental responsibilities. NTA.

Marriage is a partnership, not a scorecard ❤

NTA. Expecting give and take from husband during maternity leave

Awkward but valid question before starting a family.
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Engaging in finances and parenting roles in marriage.

Savage reply to a husband who won’t pay for maternity leave
